The Beast (DVD, 2001)

This really is a GREAT war movie that did not pan out very well in the
movies in the United States. The plot is based in Afghanistan in the
second year of the Soviet Unions invasion of the country-1981. The
Soviets are locked in a futile and bloody battle with the Muahedeen
guerrillas. Separated from their armored patrol, the crew of a
Russian T-62 tank engages in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the
local insurgents led by Taj (Steven Bauer). The tyrannical tank
commander Daskal (George Dzundza) wreaks havoc on a peaceful Afghani
village, pushing the moral boundaries of the tank driver (Jason Patric)
to the limits. Sensing mutiny, the psychotic Daskal abandons Patric
to die in the desert at the hands of the rebels. However, Patric has
studied some Afghani and learned a bit about them-and makes a friend
of the leader--then turns on the Russian Tank and decides to help
them destroy - The Beast as they identify it. Great ending and a bit
of suspense thrown in adds to the intensity of the movie. A really
great job of acting is done here-but you must read alot of subtitles
of the Afghani s talking making it necessary to pay strict attention.
Still for War movie lovers and students of history a very good movie,
and it gives the somewhat of the Russian and Afghani thinking about the
war between the two sides. Make sure to click on the SUBTITLES section
on the menu before starting the movie-or the movie will not give you
the Afghani translations-so you will not understand-the Russians speak
english for the most part-but you need the subtitles for the Afghanis.

I really liked the movie. It was based on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. It showed the brutality inflicted on the Afghans by the Soviets, but more importantly, how the Afghan Muhajdeen resisted it to the death. It was very intense, and you definitely were glad when the bad guys were eventually beaten. I think the Americans could take some advice from this situation and stop the horrors they're inflicting and the Iraqis and the Afghans in their own war of empire. They say that those who fail to learn from mistakes of history are condemned to repeat it. It happened with the Romans, Carthegeneans, Greeks, Nazis, Napoleon, etc. etc. If only the Americans could learn.

The seller was quick to fulfill their part. I look forward to doing business with this seller again.

I always wanted this movie. Ive seen years ago and thought it was awesome.. Great actors and exciting throughout.... A must for your movie collection...

"The Beast - of War"

Jason Patric, 1988, post "Lost Boys". Caught as a late night offering. Liked it enough to add to my collection. Bought off Ebay. Hard to find.

"The Beast- of War"; Director Kevin Reynolds interpretation of the fictional experience of the crew of "The Beast" a Soviet tank, during the occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980's. The story starts out with a Soviet assault and destruction of an Afghan village. The subsequent indiscriminate killing of men, women and children is vivid. Spare no one. Kill all.

Brutality comes to a head when Daskel (George Dzundza - "Deer Hunter") orders the captured Khan (Afghan leader) in front of the tank tracks to make him talk. (At this point children should leave. Seriously.)

Every time the Khan rufuses, Daskal orders his driver, an unwilling Jason Patric as Kovechenko, to roll the tracks farther up the tribesman's legs, until he is completely crushed. The rift between Dzundza as commander and Patric the driver, is set. Sickened by what he has been ordered to do, Patric's vision of any noble cause is shattered. Caught between are the balance of the tank crew, a young, slim, Stephen Baldwin as Golikov, and Don Harvey as Kaminski. The middle two tankers are pawns bowing to the heavy handed good ol boy style of commander Dzundza/Daskal. Switching sides when the outcome changes.

The Afghans, lead by Steve Bauer as Taj, the new Khan, meet Soviet technology with primative flintlocks and antiquated surplus rifles.

The only Soviet tank to survive the assualt of the village, "the Beast" and it's crew race away for their lives. Blood for blood, Bauer's Afghan tribesmen dog the beleagured crew as they try to escape the Afghans in a nightmarish maze of valleys and dead-ends that make up the region.

Dzundza is excellent as the "old guard" style tank commander. Probably the most watchable and interesting character. Cut from a cloth much different than the three young men/conscripts(?) who make up the crew of "the Beast". He is constantly reminding his baby faced subordinates of his time fighting the Nazis during the German assault on Russia. Yes Virginia, those were the days.

Patric's subtle style is believable as the educated idealist locking horns with Dzundza until it comes to a head. Ultimately Patric is a threat to Dzundza's authority. Patric has to go. His ideals brand him a traitor. His crewmates leave the "Lost Boy" tied with ropes spread eagle on a rock for the wild dogs.

But.... the Afghans save Patric and he switches sides. He joins in the pursuit and contributes to the final outcome where the Afghans catch "the Beast" in a dead end valley.

"The Beast - of War" is interesting. And different. It's not "Generation Kill" but if you want a window (albeit a movie) on what may have been the life of a Soviet soldier during their Afghan war, take a look.

Enjoy. PC. Grandson of a Marine and proud of it. Get some.

It shows the good and bad side of war and how people can come together under ironic circumstances and solve a problem. Good acting and constant action.

A good film with most of the time the real russian equipments.

The story is good, and the actors are also good.

I like the film.

For anyone that wants to see a straight up war movie, from a non-american perspective, This is it. Excellent story line with a no holds barred approach to war. Just a solid damn good movie.

Dramatized, but events are realistic & devastation to AF is true..........................​..............................​.............

The story of a Russian tank commander in the Afghan Invasion. A tough tank commander along with dissent among the crew causes in fighting and the eventual destruction of the commander and his tank. The tank is lost after the initial action of the film and is fighting its' way to what they think is safety only to find out it is a dead end canyon and must go back the way they came. It is a story of enemies ending up allies. A good flick from start to finish.

this movie based on a play will keep you entertained until the last frame loved the two aspects of the view of war from both sides and how perseverance against great odds can win out in the end!!!
seen it before and just had to add it to my collection!!

This is a very good movie and an instant classic for anyone whom loves tanks. A good storyline and plot. No insane special effects or unrealistc action scenes.

I bought this DVD from e-bay because i couldnt find it here in Sweden.

The film itself was quite good. Kind of deep and well done.

The C.D. was in great shape and it was recieved in the mail very quickly. I was impressed by how fast it was mailed to me,thanks, Paul Chase. The movie itself was entertaining at first, then it just dragged on and on and on.